Since it was already second year, Hoshino Miru moved from his original first-year Class D to second-year Class A. When he arrived at the classroom, classmates were introducing themselves to each other.
Toyosaki High School changed classes every year. Of course, it wasn't based on grades - it seemed classes were randomly assigned based on student numbers.
Hoshino Miru's previous middle school did the same thing. Supposedly this could strengthen students' social abilities, preventing them from always staying in fixed small circles.
In third year, the school would also divide specialized college prep classes based on students' aspirations, like the elite classes common in Hoshino Miru's previous life.
However, Japanese high schools didn't have so-called college entrance exams. Most students either went straight to work after graduation or attended specialized vocational schools.
Only students wanting to attend proper universities would study hard and go to various cram schools after school.
Hoshino Miru's deviation value ranked first in the grade, giving him hope of getting into a prestigious school, so he hadn't considered cram schools for now. In a sense, [Intelligence] also saved him quite a bit of expense.
Though it was a brand new class, many students in the classroom recognized Hoshino Miru. Seeing him appear, they greeted him one after another.
"Hoshino-kun, want to play soccer together this afternoon?"
"Can't today - I have to pick up my sister after school."
"Too bad. Seriously, I've never seen a better forward than you. Really won't join us?"
"No thanks. I think I'm a member of the 'going home' club."
Previously, to exercise and test [Stamina]'s effects, Hoshino Miru often played with the guys. Sometimes he'd take the forward position, responsible for scoring and breaking through enemy formations - quite intense.
Later, the basketball and baseball teams also invited him, probably discovering his physical condition was relatively superior and very suitable for such intense sports.
Hoshino Miru didn't join any team, but when they were short-handed, he'd serve as temporary support for emergency backup.
After greetings, Hoshino Miru found his seat number and immediately saw Yukinoshita Yukino sitting behind him.
This position was somewhat subtle. He hadn't expected that after class reshuffling, they'd still be classmates.
"Good morning, Yukinoshita-san." Hoshino Miru greeted her, then sat in his seat.
"Good morning." Yukinoshita Yukino glanced at him. When she came to see the class assignment chart this morning, she'd already known they were in the same class.
Though they hadn't met during the entire spring break, the moment she saw him appear, it felt like only a day apart. His facial expression and the look in his eyes seeing her showed little surprise.
Previously beside her, this time sitting in front of her - the assigned position was somewhat subtle, Yukinoshita Yukino thought.
Then Yukinoshita Yukino saw Hoshino Miru greeting the classmate beside him.
"Hoshino-kun, have you watched recent anime?"
"Not yet. What anime is coming out this month?"
"Your information is too outdated! This month is the world of sister series - you understand the royal road little sister, right!"
This time his neighbor was an anime otaku. Though clearly a background character with no presence, he could chat without pressure, and the other party seemed to know Hoshino Miru too.
Originally sitting there radiating a gloomy aura, upon seeing Hoshino Miru appear, he immediately got incredibly excited, talking endlessly about a bunch of anime titles.
Soon, several gloomy shut-ins from the class practically squirmed closer to Hoshino Miru's side. Everyone chatted from April's new season to currently popular games. Someone even pulled out the latest manga to share with everyone. Originally strangers, they immediately became friends.
Yukinoshita Yukino wasn't surprised. She'd seen similar scenes many times. Hoshino Miru seemed to have magical power - she could often see various strange people gathering around him, and these people could often form their own small circles through Hoshino Miru as an intermediary.
Occasionally she'd also see Hoshino Miru greeting girls in class. The girls also didn't treat him as an outsider, naturally chatting with him about various fashion topics and sharing videos they'd scrolled through today.
Even JK language Yukinoshita Yukino couldn't understand, Hoshino Miru could understand. Was this guy a boy or a girl disguised as a boy?
This social ability made Yukinoshita Yukino uncomfortable, involuntarily reminding her of her own sister. She wondered if her sister would consider him her kind upon seeing Hoshino Miru.
Yukinoshita Yukino took a deep breath. She couldn't continue like this.
Just watching from the side wouldn't change anything. She had to take her own step too.
The thought that had always been deeply hidden in Yukinoshita Yukino's heart - the moment she saw Hoshino Miru, she'd already made her decision.
Hoshino Miru didn't care about Yukinoshita Yukino observing him. After greeting those around him, he pulled out his phone.
"Hoshino Miru: Did you transfer to Hanegawa today?"
"Toyokawa Sakiko: You actually remember this - I'm somewhat surprised."
"Hoshino Miru: It's the first day of school after all. Of course I'd remember."
"Toyokawa Sakiko: Today is also Mutsuki's first day of school (laugh)"
"Hoshino Miru: Which school is she at?"
"Toyokawa Sakiko: You didn't ask?"
"Hoshino Miru: I only know you used to be at the same school."
"Toyokawa Sakiko: Yeah, Tsuki no Mori. She should have arrived at school by now too."
"Hoshino Miru: Ojou-sama school? Is the uniform cute?"
"Toyokawa Sakiko: Your focus is really strange."
If he didn't focus on this, what could they chat about - everything was her minefield, right?
Tsuki no Mori was a topic that absolutely couldn't be touched. Chatting about anything would hurt the former young lady.
Hoshino Miru opened Wakaba Mutsuki's chat interface and thought for quite a while.
"Hoshino Miru: Good morning. Did you get to school today?"
"Wakaba Mutsuki: Already here."
"Wakaba Mutsuki: Today, practice guitar?"
"Hoshino Miru: Tomorrow. I'll come by."
"Wakaba Mutsuki: Okay."
Hoshino Miru touched his hair. Was this girl this taciturn online too?
However, she replied quite quickly. Had she been watching her phone all day today?
Hoshino Miru put away his phone. He still seemed to owe Sumita Mana a favor - who knew when he could repay it.
Maybe he should bring donuts to see her in a few days?